Little rhymes for real life

Browse short poems for birthdays, thank-yous, friendship, love, encouragement, and bedtime.

The last little light

One window holds a golden square; A sleepy cat is curled up there. The lamp goes out, the curtains sway; The house has put its books away.

Bedtime · Peaceful

The blanket island

My blanket makes an island small Where noisy waves can't reach at all. The pillow is a sandy shore; I'll sail tomorrow, dream some more.

Bedtime · Warm

The firefly lantern

A firefly lit a leafy lane Then turned its lantern off again. The cricket hummed a tune so deep The whole green garden fell asleep.

Bedtime · Peaceful

The quiet cupboard

The cups are sleeping on their shelf; The kettle keeps its dreams itself. The spoons have finished all their play. The kitchen rests till break of day.

Bedtime · Warm

The moon's spare chair

The moon pulled out a silver chair And settled in the evening air. The stars sat down without a sound; The night tucked blankets all around.

Bedtime · Peaceful

Moon pockets

The moon has pockets full of light, She shakes them gently through the night. One finds your pillow, soft and deep— A little star to keep your sleep.

Bedtime · Peaceful

The sleepy harbor

The little boats are tucked in tight, Their painted noses kiss goodnight. The harbor hums a sleepy tune, And rocks them gently with the moon.

Bedtime · Peaceful

The blanket train

The blanket train rolls down the track, With dreams up front and worries back. The pillow station’s just in sight— All sleepy passengers, goodnight.

Bedtime · Playful

The cricket choir

The crickets tune their tiny strings, The evening folds its dusty wings. The garden keeps a watch so deep, While all its little flowers sleep.

Bedtime · Peaceful

The owl’s goodnight

An owl calls softly from the tree, The stars blink back: we hear, we see. The woods breathe out, the branches sway— And fold the last small piece of day.

Bedtime · Peaceful